A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Here M. Hardinge hathe auouched two greate vntruethes: the one in his Translation in the Englishe: the other in the allegation of the storie. Touching the first,* 1.1 Cassiodorus in his Latine Translation writeth thus, Canones iubent, extra Romanum nihil decerni Pontificem: Socrates in the Greeke, out of whiche the Latine was taken,* 1.2 writeth thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: The Englishe hereof is this, It is prouided by the Canons, that rules to binde the Churche, be not made, without the consent of the Bishop of Rome.

Wherein M. Harding hath purposely corrupted, & falsified altogeather both the Greeke, & the Latine, not reporting one woorde, that he founde in the original. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Decernere, he Englisheth to Keepe, or, as he termeth it, to Celebrate a Councel. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is Praeter sentētiā, or, as Cassiodorus turneth it, Extra, he Englisheth, without y^e aduise, & Authoritie. No, he would not suffer, no not him, in whose quarel he thus fighteth, to passe without a venewe: for where he sawe him

named in the Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.3 and in the Latine Romanum Pontificem, The Romaine Bishop, he thought it beste to leaue bothe the Greeke, and the La∣tine, and to cal him the Pope. And thus to increase the Popes authoritie, he hath altered, and corrupted the whole place, and not translated one woorde as he founde it.

Touchinge the storie, he saith, The Arians Councelles were not allowed, for that they were not Summoned by the Pope. And yet he knoweth right wel, it was no parte of the Popes office in those daies, to Summon Councelles. For it is euident euen by the policie, and practise of that time, that Cōstantinus the Empe∣rour Summoned the Councel of Nice: Theodosius the first, the Councel of Con∣stantinople: Theodosius the .2. the Councel of Ephesus: and Martianus, the Councel of Chalcedon.* 1.4 And Socrates in his storie saithe thus, Id••irco Imperatores in historia complexus sum, quia ex quo tempore coeperunt esse Christiani, Ecclesiastica ne∣gotia pendent ab illis,* 1.5 & maxima Concilia de illorum sententia & facta sunt, & fiunt. Therefor I haue comprised the Emperours within my Storie, for that sithence they beganne to be Christened, the state of the Churche dependethe of them, and the greatest Councelles haue benne keapte, and be stil keapte by theire aduise. And the Bishoppes in the Councel of Constantinople, witnes that they were summoned to come to the Romaine Coun∣sel by Damasus the Bishop of Rome: but they adde withal, by warrant of the Em∣perours letters: not by any his owne authoritie. And likewise in their Epistle to the Emperour Theodosius thei write thus, Literis, quibus nos cōuocasti, Ecclesiā honore prosecutus es. Your Maiestie hath honoured the Churche, by the letters, wherewith ye Sum∣moned vs togeather.

As for the Bishop of Rome, he was not yet of Authoritie hable to cal a general Councel. For the worlde as yet had no skil of his Uniuersal power ouer al others: neither woulde they haue appeared vpon his Summon. Gregorius beinge Bishop of Rome, coulde not cause the Bishop of Salonae beinge but one man, to come be∣fore him. Thus he writeth by waie of complainte vnto the Empresse Constantia: Contempto me atque despecto,* 1.6 ad me venire secundum iussionem Dominorum noluit. He despised me,* 1.7 and set me at naught, and wolde not come vnto me, accordinge to my lordes the Emperours commaundement. Therefore Leo findinge this weakenes in him self, wrote vnto the Cleregie,* 1.8 and people of Constantinople, and willed them to craue a general Councel at the Emperours hande. Exposcite, vt petitioni nostrae, qua plena∣riam indici Synodum postulamus, Clementissimus Imperator dignetur annuere. Make your request, that the Emperours Maiestie wolde voutchsaue to graunte my humble petition, wherein I besought him to Summone a general Councel.* 1.9 Liberatus saithe, y^t Leo the Bi∣shop of Rome, with other moe Bishoppes of Italie, fel vpon their knees, and desired the Emperoure Ualentinian, and the Empresse Eudoxia to appointe a Councel:* 1.10 and yet coulde not obteine it. Afterwarde he desired the Empe∣rour Theodosius, that he woulde cal a Councel to some place within Italie: and the Emperour, contrary to the Bishoppe of Romes petition, appointed it to be holden at Ephesus.* 1.11 After that, he made the same request to the Emperour Mar∣tianus: and the Emperour likewise,* 1.12 contrarie to the Bishops humble request, com∣manded the Councel to be keapte at Chalcedon.* 1.13 And, where as Leo had besought bothe these Emperours, that it might please them to take a longer daie for the Councel, for that the time of the Summon seemed very shortie, and the waies were laide with enimies, and therefore dangerous for the Bishoppes to trauel, yet woulde neither of them alter one daie, but charged eche man to appeare, as they were Summoned. And Leo the Bishop of Rome with al his Uniuer∣sal power, was faine to yeelde. Hereby we maye soone coniecture, howe true it is, either that Pope Gelasius writeth, That onely the Apostolique

See of Rome decreed by her Authoritie,* 1.14 that the Councel of Chalcedon should be Summo∣ned: Or els, that M. Hardinge woulde haue vs beléeue, That al Councelles were sum∣moned by the Pope.

Neither was the Bishop of Rome, nor his legate in his absence, euermore the President, or Chiefe of the Councel. For it is knowen, y^t in the Councel of Nice, Eustathius y^e Patriarke of Antioche was the president, and y^e Bishop of Romes Legates, Uitus, and Uincentius sate in the fourth roome beneath. In the Councel of Constantinople Menna was y^e chiefe: In the Councel of Sardica, Osius of Cor∣duba in Spaine: In the Councel of Aquileia, S. Ambrose of Millane: In the Councel of Carthage, Aurelius the Bishop there. In the Councel of Chalcedon, Leo the Bishop of Romes Legate had chiefe roome, but by way of intreatie onely, and by y^e Emperours special graunte, & not of dew right, or Uniuersal Authoritie.

But (saith M. Hardinge) the Bishop of Rome allowed General Councels. This is not de∣nied. So did others, not onely Patriakes, or Bishops, but also Ciuil Princes. In the Councel of Chalcedon it is written thus,* 1.15 Diuae memoriae Theodosius confirma∣uit omnia, quae iudicata sunta Sancta, & Vniuersali Synodo Generali Lege. Theodosius the Emperour of godly memorie, hath confirmed al thinges by a General Law, that were de∣termined in the Vniuersal Councel.* 1.16 So likewise y^e Emperour Martianus, Sacro nostrae Serenitatis edicto, venerandam Synodum confirmamus. By the holy Edicte of our Ma∣••estie wee confirme that reuerende Councel. So Eusebius witnesseth, that the Empe∣rour Constantinus confirmed the Determinations of the Councel of Nice.* 1.17 So the Bishoppes in the Councel of Constantinople wrote vnto the Emperour Theodo∣sius by these woordes,* 1.18 Rogamus tuam clementiam, vt per literas tuae Pietatis ratū esse ••ubeas, confirmef{que} Concilij Decretum. Wee desire your fauour, by your Highnesse letters to ratifie, and Confirme the Decree of the Councel.

Now, seinge it was lawful for Princes, and Ciuile gouernours to confirme the Decrées, & Determinations of Councels, how can wée doubt, but it was law∣ful for Bishoppes also,* 1.19 to doo the same? Therefore Theodoretus saith, The Conclu∣sions of the Councel of Nice, were sente abroade to other Bishoppes, that were away. And Uictorinus saith, That many thousandes of Bishoppes allowed that same Councel, and a∣greed vnto it.

Aboue al others, the Subscription, and Confirmation of the foure Principal Patriarkes was specially required, for that bothe their charge, and also their Countenance, and Credite was greater then others. Emonge whiche foure, the Bishop of Rome was euer the first, and therefore his consent séemed to beare grea∣test weight.* 1.20 And for that cause the Emperour Martianus required Leo the Bi∣shop of Rome, to write vnto y^e Councel of Chalcedon, and to declare, that he gaue his consent to the Rule of Faith, that was there determined.* 1.21 And in like sorte the Emperour Theodosius requireth al Bishoppes, to Subscribe, and to geue their assente to the Councel of Nice. For it is a rule agréeable vnto Law, and Reason, Quod omnes tangit,* 1.22 ab omnibus debet approbari. The thinge that toucheth al, ought to be allowed by al. And therefore Iulius beinge Bishop of Rome pronounced, that al the Actes of the Councel of Antioche were voide, and of no force, for that he, being one of the foure Patriarkes, was not called thither, as wel as others. For it ap∣peareth by Eusebius,* 1.23 Theodoretus, and others, that to al General Councels, al Primates, and Metropolitanes were specially summoned. And this séemeth to be that Canon,* 1.24 that Iulius allegeth, that it was not lawful to make rules, and orders for the whole Churche, without the consent of the Bishop of Rome, beinge one of the foure chiefe Patriarkes, and hauinge in his Prouince one greate portion of the Churche. And therefore Leo Bishop of Rome testifieth his consente to the Councel of Chalcedon by these woordes,* 1.25 Fraternitas vestra nouit, me definitionem

Sanctae Synodi toto corde complexum esse. Your brotherhoode knoweth, that I haue em∣braced with my whole harte the Determ••nation of that holy Councel. And likewise vnto the Emperour Martianus he writeth thus,* 1.26 Constitutionibus Synodalibus libens ad∣ieci sententiam meam. Vnto these Constitutions of the Councel, I haue gladly geuen my as∣sent. The ende hereof was not to shewe his Soueraine Power aboue al others, but that the Decrees so ratified by him, & others, might be had in more estimation. So Leo him selfe writeth,* 1.27 Clementia vestra arbitratur, malum faciliùs delendum, si per vniuersas Ecclesias, Definitiones sanctae Synodi Apostolicae Sedi placuisse doceantur. Your Highnes thinketh this ••uil wil the rather be suppressed, if it be declared throughout al Churches, that the Decrees of the holy Councel be wel liked of the Apostolique See.

But, that the whole ratification of Councelles depended, not onely of the Bi∣shop of Rome, but also of others, no lesse then of him, it is easie to be prooued. The Bishops in the Romaine Councel in the time of Damasus,* 1.28 condemned the Coun∣cel of the Arians holden at Ariminum, for that, neither the Bishop of Rome, whose minde shoulde haue béene knowen before al others, nor Uincentius, nor any of the reaste had agreed vnto it. Likewise the Councel of Carthage, and of Aphrica are allowed for good, not withstandinge the Bishop of Rome woulde not allow them. The Councel of Chalcedon decreed, that the Bishop of Constantinople should be in dignitie nexte vnto the Bishop of Rome, and shoulde Consecrate the Metropo∣litanes of Asia,* 1.29 Pontus, and Thracia. This decree Leo the Bishop of Rome ve∣ry muche misliked, and would neuer assent vnto it: yet that not withstandinge, it is in force, and continueth stil.* 1.30 Liberatus thereof writeth thus, Cùm Anatolius consentiente Concilio Primatum obtinuisset, Legati verò Romani Episcopi contradice∣rent, à ludicibus, & Episcopis omnibus, illa contradictio suscepra non est. Et licet sedes Apostolica nunc vsque contradicat, tamen quod a Synodo firmatum est, Imperatorio pa∣trocinio permanet. When Anatolius by consent of the Councel had obteined the primacie, and the Bishoppe of Romes Legates stoode against it, their gaine saieinge of the Iudges, and Bishoppes there was not receiued. And al be it the Apostolique See of Rome euen hitherto stande ••gainst it, yet the Decree of the Councel by the maintenance of the Emperour standeth stil in force.* 1.31 Whiche thinge séemeth agreeable to that S. Hierome writeth, Maior est authoritas orbis, quàm vrbis. The authoritie of the worlde is greater, then the authoritie of one Citie: meaninge thereby the Citie of Rome.

It may appeare by that, I haue thus shortly touched, that the Bishop of Rome had authoritie neither to Summone Councelles, nor to be President, or chiefe in Councelles, nor to ratifie, and Confirme the Decrées of Councelles, more then any other of the foure Patriarkes: and last of al, that Councelles may stand in force, al∣though the Pope mislike them, & allow them not. I thinke it wil be harde hereof to¦geather M. Hardinges Conclusion, That the Bishop of Rome was Heade of the Vniuersal Churche.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cassiodor. li. ••. ca. 19.
• * 1.2

  Socrat. li. 2. ca. 17.
• * 1.3

  Confirma¦tion of Councels.
• * 1.4

  Socrat. lib. 5. in prooemio.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Inter Acta Con∣cilij Constantino∣pol. 5.
• * 1.6

  Gregor lib. 4.
• * 1.7

  Epist. 34.
• * 1.8

  Leo Epist. 23.
• * 1.9

  Liberat. ca. 12. Genibus prouo∣lutis.
• * 1.10

  Leo Epist 11. ad Theodos. August.
• * 1.11

  Leo Epist. 13.
• * 1.12

  Leo Epist. 50.
• * 1.13

  Leo Epist. 13. 44. ••8.
• * 1.14

  Epist. Gelasij ad Episcopos Dar∣daniae.
• * 1.15

  Concil. Chalce∣don. Action. 1.
• * 1.16

  Concil. Chalce∣don. Acti. 3.
• * 1.17

  Eusebius in vit•• Constantini.
• * 1.18

  Inter Acta Con∣cilij Constan. 5.
• * 1.19

  Theodor. li. 1. ca. 9. & li. 2. ca. 8. Victorin. li. 2.
• * 1.20

  Leo Epist. 60.
• * 1.21

  Inter Acta Con••∣cil. Chalcedon.
• * 1.22

  Regula iuris.
• * 1.23

  Euseb. Oratio. 3. de Vita Cōstan.
• * 1.24

  Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.25

  Leo Epist. 61.
• * 1.26

  Leo Epist. 59.
• * 1.27

  Leo Epist. 59.
• * 1.28

  Sozomen. li. 6. ca. 23.
• * 1.29

  Leo Epist. 13.
• * 1.30

  Liberatus ca. 13.
• * 1.31

  Hieronym. ad Euagrium.